Grading machine



Aug. 31, 1926. l

` N. J. WIGGINTON GRADING MACHINE Aug. 3l 1926. N. J. WIGGINTON GRADING MACHINE Filed April 14 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 R13 o u l w INVENTOR BY /LJ//GG//Yo/Y ML @uw ATTORNEY N m. l 1 .f

Aug. 3l 1926. 1,598,469

N. J. WIGGINTON GRADING MACHINE Filed Aprill 14 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR @EVM m0 Patented Aug. 3l, 1926.

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NEWTON J'. WIGGINTON, OF WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA.

GRADING MACHINE.

Application led April 14, 1925; Serial No. 23,070.

My present invention relates to improvements in grading machines of the type employed in grading fruits, vegetables and similar articles. The machine of my invention has-been reduced to practice and successfully operated as an apple grading machine, and I shall therefore for convenience of. illustration and description hereinafter refer to it as an apple grading machine. Before proceeding with the description in detail of the various embodiments and uses A of the machine, it is proper to say that in some or all respects my invention is applicable for use in grading various kinds of vfruits and various kinds of vegetables.

The primary object of my invention is the provision of a portable and foldable implement which maybe taken directly to the orchard or Iield, and with facility moved about from place to place for the convenience of the orch'ardist or farmer in grading fruits or lvegetables. As .here illustrated the machine is adapted for manual power in its operation and the operation of the machine is accomplished with a minimum supply of labor or attendants, but it will be understood that mechanical power maybe utilized to drive the operating parts of the grading machine if desired.

To facilitate transportation or removal of the machine'from place to place I have embodied therein a wheeled implement upon which 'other parts of the `machine are adapted to be folded and stored in a compact arrangement, and means are provided for trundling or manually propelling the implement. v

The diHerent units or sections of the machine are interchangeable and provided with detachable hinged joints which enable the attendant to assemble the several unitsfinoperative relation with rapidity and conveniencev and after assembly the parts are so related as to afford a compact, smooth working, and etiicient machine of this character by means of which the apples, or other articles to be graded, are passed through'the machine' and properly graded.

The capacity of the machine for grading various sizes of apples maybe increased or decreased withl relation to the machine as herein illustrated which machine vis adapted to separate the apples into four'grades.

The invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts as will hereinafter be more fully pointed out and claimed. 1

In the accompanying drawings I` have illustrated, one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention wherein the parts are-combined and arranged in accordance with one mode for the practical, application of the principles of my invention, and as thus embodied the machine has A successfully performed itsI requiredv functions as a. labor and time saving implement in efficiently and rapidly grading the apples.

lIt will be understood that one of the grading units may be dispensed with toreduce the capacity of the machine if desired, or one or more units vmay be added to the implement illustrated lto increase the\capacity of theimplement, to suit various conditions or` requirements. i A

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a top plan view of the apple grading machine adapted for use in separating four grades of apples which are passed therethrough from the feed hopper at the left end, andl the highest gradeof apples discharged on the table) at the right end of the implement, Figure2 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view ofthe machine of Figure'l with yparts broken away for convenience of illustration.l

lFigure 3 is a perspective view of the machine illustrating its use on irregular surfaces as in an orchard or on a hillside.

Figure 4 is aA transversevertical sectional view ofthe machine showing one of the transversely arrangedzdelivery troughs.

Figure 5 is a sectional detail view illustrating the manner of supporting one of the detachable and adjustable discharge troughs or side tables. -Figure 6 is a perspective View depicting the machine unitsfolded upon the main wheeled implement for transportation.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail face view of the hinge or pivotjoint at one side of the end discharge table. f Figure 8 1s a transverse sectional view at line 8-8 of'Figure 7 Figure 9 is a view of a modified form of attaching or hinge vplate for the end capacity.

tending beams 1 and 2 Figure 10 'is a face view of one of the feed-hopper joint members, and Figure 11 is a top edge View showing one of the foldn able joints between the feed hopper and the wheeled section of the machine.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a smaller grader in folded position.

Figure 13 is a detail View showing the hinged construction for the discharge table.

In the assembled machine of the drawings I provide for four grades of apples which are'separated or graded by the action of endless, moving, grading belts of suitable or approved type, which have openings of various sizes to permit passage of the apples to be graded, except the largest grade, and the machine isA operated by a single attendant who' stands at one side of the machine adjacent to the feed hopper at the left end of the illustrations in Figures 1 and 3.

The main section or unit of the machine is a wheeled vehicle of proper size and shape which has a rigid frame that includes a pair of lower longitudinally eX spaced apart and rigidly attached to a pair of long legs 3, 3 that are adapted to rest or stand upon the ground, and a pair of shorter legs or posts 3 3 are also fixed to these beams.

A pair of upper or top beams 4, 4 secured at the tops of the legs and posts complete the rectangular main frame which provides a strong and stable support for the various units or sections of the machine when the latter are folded as indicated in Figure 6.

This main frame is provided with a transversely extending axle 5 having bearings 5 on the lower long beams and `a pair of spaced traction Wheels 6, 6, are provided to support the main unit of the machine.

For propelling the wheeled implement manually I employ a transversely extending handle bar 7 which may be grasped by one or more men for trundling the implement. This bar is supported in a frame 8 attached at one end of the implement to the beams 1 and 2, and the frame is fashioned with a detachable collar as 9 which permits demounting of the handle bar if required.

For reinforcing the frames of thel various units I `employ diagonally extending metal straps or braces 10 which are bolted at their ends to the elements to be connected and these bracesare used throughout the structure where required, to insure a stable and strong framework.

Above the main frame of the Wheeled implement are fixed the side Walls or boards 11 between which travel the working flights of the belt 12 for ciders and the succeeding belt 13 for grade A apples. The grading belts are of the endless type, the belt 12 traveling over spaced rollers 14 and 14 on has a pair of supporting the shafts 15 and 16, and the grade A belt passing over similar rollers 17 and 17 on the shafts 18 and 19.

The grading belts may be of standard o1' any approved type having openings of the proper size to permit apples to pass therethrough, it being understood that the ciders fall into the iiexible transversely disposed trough 20 and the grade A apples into the table 21, in positionbeneath the belts'to receive the apples, and discharge them laterally. Thesctroughs are made up A,of slats the ends of which at one side of the machine are supported from a longitudinally extend ing bar 22 which is in turn supported from the top bars ofthe frame by means of angle brackets 23, the lower free ends of the troughs being flexible and suspended at a lower elevation than the fixed supported ends to permit movement of the apples without danger of bruising them.

For driving the grading belts I utilize a transversely disposed drive shaft 24 supported in journal bearings 25 on the side boards 11. The bearings for the several shafts may or bearing blocks of wood may be-attached to the respectivo frames and provided With metal bushings or bearing sleeves in which the ends of the shafts are journaled.

The drive shaft is manually revolved by an attendant who uses the hand crank or crank handle 26 attached at the freeprojecting end of the shaft which is located in such position as to enable the attendant to turn the shaft and at the same time give attention to the feed of apples to the ina.- chine.

The driving shaft is provided With a driving sprocket 27 and sprocket chain 28 which latter chain passes over the driven sprocket wheel 29 on the shaft 16. A second sprocket Wheel 30 on the shaft 16 transmits the power through the chain 31 to the wheel 32 on the shaft 19 and it will be apparent that the upper or Working flights of the grading belts are moved in the same direction, to the right in Figures 1 and 2 to convey apples too large vto pass through them. Aprons33 are located in position to transfer apples from one belt to a succeedlng one, and these aprons are pivoted or hinged transversely of the grading machine as at 34, and provided with curved or turned up lower edges 35 that may contact with the grading belt when the belt isv moving forward in its Anormal direction. In case of accidental rear movement of the upper or\ Working flight of the belt, the latter may pass freely under the apron and because of the presence of its turned up or curved ed e the apron does not interfere with the bet. At the front end of the machine al feed hopper 36 of usual type is provided, which legs 37 to starfd be of any usual or suitable type,

' upon the ground and in addition is supported by a pair of transversely disposed pivot or stud bolts 38, one at each side of the hopper. These bolts are passed through bolt holes in the ends of the side boards 11 of the main unit which is provided withreinforcing metal straps or plates 39 riveted to the side boards, and through Which the bolts pass. The side boards of the hopper also have reinforcing plates 40 secured thereto as by rivets or bolts 41, and these side boards together with the plates40 are lfashionedv with a pair vof longitudinally extending slots 42 for the stud bolts 38 to project. through. When in operative position as in Figures 1 2 and 3 the bolts form supports for the inner end of thehopper, and when the hopper is to be folded upon the main unit, as in Figure 6, these bolts form the pivots or hinges, for the swingingmovement of the hopper, the slots providing for a necessary lost motion or movement 1n the folding action. FThe slots 42 also permit the re` ceiving table or hopper to readily adjust itself to any irregularities on the surface of the ground upon which the implement is erected, the slot arrangement taking the strain off ofthe hinged connection.

The apples are transferred from the receiving t-able 36 to the belt 13 over an apron or gate 14"Which is hinged at 36 on the receiving table to overlap the gap between the receiving table and the grading unit.'

Should an apple become entangled in the belt and be carried up over the roller 14,

the 'hinged gate will be lifted thereby to permit passage of the apple and4 prevent'obstruction to the belt. The smallest fruit or ciders fall through this belt to the trough 20, and from this trough the ciders pass to the side table 43 from which the ciders are directed and gathered asl desired. The side i* table is supported transversely of the grading machine and is adjustable lfor the purpose of guiding the `ciders.

A pivoted 4brace bar 44 hinged at its underside supports the outer end of the chute by resting on the top edge of the beam 1,

and the inner end of the chute is provided With a pairof side plates or straps 48 each having a notch 46 iny its upper edge, the construction being similar to that shown in Figure 5. y A pair of rack plates 45 having notches 46 are attached tov a pair of upright posts 47, one at each side of the side table yand secured to the top and bottom beams of the main frame. A removable supporting b'ar or rod 49 disposed longitudinally ofthe machine is adapted to rest in a complementary pair of notches in the rack plates, and the supporting or. side'plates 48 of the side table rest upon the rod to afford a support for the table. This construction is shown specifically in Figure 5 and is used in the several side tables employed in connection with the may with facility be attached or adjusted to I desired position for use, and when not required may with facility be YYdetached from `the grading machine.

In' Figure 2 an added section or unit is indicated as a Whole by the numeral 50 and provided with side walls 51` as guidesl for the apples. This section is interposed next to the main section or unit and is provided with a roller 52 and, a second roller 53, and a third grading belt 54 having openings or rings therein larger than the rings of the grade A belt 13. The respective rollers 52 and 53 are provided with shafts 55 and 56 journaled in bearings of suitable type, and these shafts and rollers are driven from the shaft 19 through the sprocket-Wheel 57 thereon. A chain 58 passes over the sprocket wheel 59 on the shaft 56 for conveying power supplied from the operating shaft 24.

It will be understood that the power transmission mechanism may be varied, and located in suitable or approved positions on the various vsections or units for different purposes, and While I have shown a man- The added section or unit 50 Which su'pports these rollers for the grade B apples includes a rectangular frame having a pair of longitudinally extending top bars 60 beneath which a chute 61 for the grade B apples Iis supported in manner similar to the two chutes 20 and 21 previously mentioned.

This frame also includes lfour corner posts 62 and it is braced and fashioned as a rigid structure Ywhich at one endis adapted to rest and be supported upon a pair of angle les plates 63 attached at the inner sides of the .i

long beams 1 and 2. The lower ends of two of the posts 63 rest upon these plates to support the added frame and in addition it is `detachablyhinged on the main section by means -of perforated side plates or metal straps 64 hinged on the ends of the shaft 19. f

In this manner the added frame section may with facility be incorporated in the grading machine for use and supported therein as V,one of its component units, and it may with equal facility be detached therefrom if not Wanted. The added frame or unit 50 may -be folded on the shaft 19 as a hinge, to the positionshown in Figure 6 whereit has been turned up and over the mainsection for transportation of the machine.

A laterally projecting table 65 is provided for the grade B apples which are received from the trough 61 and this side table 65 is readily detached from or attached to the machine. In Figure 5 it will be seen that the side table is equipped with' a pair of metal side plates 66 each having a notch 67,

and tWo of the posts 62 are provided with complementary rack plates 68 having notches (i9. The removable supporting rod 70 is supported between alined notches of these two plates (S8 and the table plates G6 through their notches (57 are supported on the rod. At the outer end of the table a hinged and foldable supporting leg 71 is connected at the under side of the table and adapted to rest upon the ground for the support of the table.

In Figure 6 another removable supporting rod is shown at 70' resting in a rack plate ('3 which may be used i'or the support of a table for the grade, apples` it being understood that the. several removable tables for the various grades of apples are readily detachable and adjustable and supporled in similar manner.

At the right end of the machines in the drawings the discharge of-packing table 72 is arranged, and-as shown in li`igurel 2 it is partially supported on a. hinged and foldable leg 73 resting ou the ground, and

f' hinged at 73 to the packing table.

This discharge or packing table may be ot' usual type and receives the apples, which are too large to pass through any of: the grading belts, from the belt 54 and over roller 53, as they pass down the apron 74.

In Figures 7 8 land 9 the joint between the packing table and the adjoining section is illustrated. At each side of the packing table a metallic strap or plate 75 is attachcd and its free end provided with a notch 76 which is adapted to lit over a shaft, las 56, for the support of the packing table in addition to the hinged leg 73. In connection with the detachable notched side plates I utilize a detachable bearing plate 77, one adapted to slip pver each end ofthe shaft 5G, and each provided With a ange 78 to suspend it from the top edge of'A the side plate 75. This construction provides a secure and rigid connection between the packing table and the section 50, which may quickly be disconnected when the bearing plates 77 have been removed, and it is desirable to detach the packing table from the unit 50. In some instances the packing table is folded upon the main section of the machine, and When such is the case an auxiliary bearing plate or bar 79 is used. This auxiliary bearing bar is provided with a curved bearing notch 80 in one edge complementary to the notch 76 in the side plate and the auxiliary plate, may be swung into operative position on the pivot bolt 81 after the removable bolt 82 has been loosened and removed to permit it. As seen in Figures 7 and 8 the auxiliary bearing bar is idle and is fastened to the side plate 75 by the rivets 81 and bolt 82, but when the packing or discharge table is to be located in foldable arrangement with respect to theimplement,

this auxiliary bearing bar is brought into use, and the bolt 82 is located in the bolt hole 83 of the side plate.

In some instances the unit 50 may be disconnected from the grading machine and the packing table of course disconnected from this section 50. IVhere a grader of smaller capacity, say for separating three grades oll apples, is desired, the section or unit 50 may be omitted and the packing table then is pivoted on the shaft 19 of the main unit said shaft taking the place ot the shaft 56 in Figure 7. In such instance the auxiliary bearing bar 7S) is brought into use and the packing table may be folded upon the implement in place of the unit 50 in Figure (i. In Figure 9 a modified form of side plate 8l is shown with a round bearing hole 85 which may be used as a permanent bearing and connection for the foldable packing table on the small grading machine.

F rom this description taken in connection with my drawings it is believed the construction and operation of the grading machine will be apparent. In assembling the machine for use on unevenfground or irregular surfaces one or more wedges W may be used if necessary to level the machine, and as seen in Figure 3 one of the Wheels is removed and a jack .I is used beneath one of the long beams as 1 to support the machine at this point instead of using the Wheel 6 which is removed to make room for the ciders chute 43.'

Guide blocks as 86 are located at suitable points at the inner sides of the side walls of the units to direct and guide the apples outwardly from the side Walls to assure their proper relation to the grading openings in the belts. The grading belts may be of any -Well known o r standard type and as illustrated the three belts have openings respectively of 2% 21/2 and 2% inches in diameter, but it will be understood of course that belts with openings of other diameters or shapes may be used in the grading machine. The apples may be sorted in usual manner at the various tables by attendants, one man being required for both feeding and operating the grading machine.

Suitable bearings are provided for the shafts, one form of inexpensive but elicient journal bearing being the use of a, metal bearing sleeve or bushing set in the bore of a Wood bearing block which is supported on the frame. I do not however confine myself to the use of any specific form of journal bearing. The bearmg sleevel may beef brass with its ends expanded to secure it in the box or block and such a bearing is preferable to the usual Wood bearing or journal member which is subject to expansion or contraction under differing Weather conditions.

Various accessories and meritorious features are used in connection with the machine, as for instance the sections or units are pro-vided with rounded shields as R adjacent to the rollers to prevent the apples from falling over the side boards as they approach or pass around the upper rollers of the various belts.

Where the ground surface of the orchard or field is inclined or hilly the grading machine is set up with one end pointing down hill. In such case t-he side tables extending laterally from the gradingv machine may readily b'e adjusted by means of the rack platesand their supporting bars or rods as 68 and 70. i.

The' beams 1 and 2 as seen in the drawings are 'provided on their under edges adja-v cent to the Wheels with beveled faces l and 2a. Either of the beams may be used in the absence of a Wheel, for levelling the grader in connection with a jack as J, and the proper adjustment may readily be secured by placing the jack at the required point on the beveled edge of the beam for this purpose.

On the inner faces of the opposite liared side walls of the receiving tableor hopper 36, I provide notches or other receptacles as 24 to receive the respective ends of the operatino` shaft 24 when the receiving tablel is folded over the main section, and this arrangement of part-s it will be apparent prevents lateral vibration or movement of the table when in folded position as in Figures 6 and 12.

To secure the intermediate grading section or unit 50 against lateral movement or vibration when folded over the main section and receiving table as in Figure 6 the front wall of the receiving table is rovided with spaced cleats 51ga between wii boards of the folded section are retained-as they rest upon the wall of the receiving table.

. Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- -1. The combination in a portable gradin vmachine of a main vehicle section, av fee hopper hin ed thereto and adapted to fold thereon an a support for the free end of said hopper, said hopper having means/to permit vertical adjustment at its sides relative to the main section, a discharging table at the opposite end of said main section and adapted to fold thereon, and means for supporting Vthe free end of said discharging table.

2. The coY bination in a grading machine with a main vehicle section, of a removable section hinged at one side of the main frame and adapted to fold thereon and means for supporting the free end of the removable section on the main section, adetachable sectionhinged at the opposite side of the main section and adapted to fold thereon,

ich .the side 4tachably connected to saidf/ t and means for supporting the free end of said last mentioned section.

3. The combination in a portable grading machine with a wheeled main section, of a foldable hopper hinged to said section and a foldable discharging table pivotally supported therefrom, whereby said hopper and table may be folded upon the main section and means for supporting the free ends of said hopperand discharging table in operative position.

4. The combination in a portable grading machine with a Wheeled main section, of a foldable hopper hinged at one end of the section and supporting legs for the free end of vsaid hopper, a hinged detachable dis-V charging table, and a foldable supporting leg for the free end of said table whereby the hopper andV table may be folded to i'noperative position upon the main frame.

5. The combination in a portable grading machine with a Wheeled main section, of

portin the free end of the hopper, ahinged,

oul

foldab e and removable section located at l the opposite end of the main section and means for supporting the free end of this last section on the main section.

6. The combination in a portable grading machine with a wheeled main section, of sets of rollers and endless grading belts and means for operating said belts, a foldable hopper hinged at one end of said section and a supporting leg for its free end, a foldable discharging table hinged at. the other end of the main section and a foldable le for supporting'the free end of said table w ereby said hopper and table may be'fo1ded to inoperative position on the main section.

7: The combinationin a portable gradingmachine with a main section comprising a foldable component sections of the gradin machine hinged at opposite ends of sai Vframe with means for supporting the free ends ofsaid foldable sections.

8. The combination ina machine with a main whee ed section and a foldablevfeed hopper hin ed at one end thereof, of a grading section inged at the other endof said wheeled section with its free end supported thereon, a discharging table derading section and means 'for supporting/ le free end of said table.

9. In a portable grading machine the combination with a main vehicle section and a foldable feed-'hopper hinged at one end thereof, of a grading belt, its rollers, shafts and means for operating the belt, a grading ortable grading section hinged on one of said shafts at the opposite end of the main section and means on the main section for supporting the Jfree end of said grading section, and a grading device carried by said grading section and actuated from the first belt-mechanism.

10. rPhe combination in a portable grading machine with a main Wheeled section of a feed hopper having longitudinal slots in its opposite side Walls, pivot bolts fixed to the main section and occupying said slots, and supporting legs on said hopper for the free end thereof.

l1. In ay portable grading machine the combination with a supporting section having an operating shaft therein, of a detachable discharging table having side bear ing plates for the shaft, lsaid plates having notches, and detachable bearing plates suspended on said side plates for completing the bearing forA said shafts.

l2; In a grading machine the combination with a supporting section and a shaft therein, of a detachable discharging table having side plates notched to engage said shaft, a removable bearing bar and bolts for retaining said bar in operative position.

13. The combination in a grading machine with a main section including a pair of longitudinal beams, supporting posts, and selectively removable wheels supported from said beams, of beveled faces on the lower edges on said beams whereby a jack may be used in co-action with said faces for leveling the machine.

14. The combination in a foldable grading machine of a main Wheeled section including a pair of longitudinal beams, a pair of wheels, a pair of supporting posts spaced from said wheels, a transverse handle-frame Connecting the free ends of said beams, and a handle supported in said handleframe.

l5. The combination in a foldable grading machine of a main vehicle-section, a receiving table hinged at one end of the section and adapted to fold thereon, a section ot' the machinev hinged at the other end of the main section, vco-actingl means on the main section and receiving table for pre venting lateral movement of the folded receiving table, and co-acting means on the "receiving table and foldable section for preventing lateral displacement of the latter section.

16. The combination in a foldable grading machine of a. main wheeled section, a receiving table hinged at one end of the main` section and adapted t'o fold thereon, operating mechanism for the machine including an operating shaft adapted to engage socket members on the receiving ta? ble when the latter is folded over the main section, a section oi the machine hinged at the other end of the main section, and spaced cleats on the receiving table for engaging said. last mentioned section when folded to position over the main section.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

NEiVTON J. WIGGINTON. 

